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McMillen KR, Heuer PV, Gjevre JM, Milder AL, Charles P, Filkins T, Rinderknecht HG, Froula DH, Shaw JL. Validation of predictive performance models for supersonic gas-jet nozzles at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2024; 95:073517. [PMID: 39016699 DOI: 10.1063/5.0215756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
We present results characterizing the neutral-density distributions produced by the supersonic nozzles used in experiments on the OMEGA-60 and OMEGA-EP laser systems at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). Axisymmetric Fluent® simulations using LLE nozzle specifications capture the viscous effects, gas expansion, and shock waves that complicate flow predictions for offsets above the nozzle exit. These simulations show good agreement with neutral-density measurements obtained using a four-wave shearing interferometer. An analytical form is given for the plateau length. Fits to simulation data for boundary layer thickness, mean plateau density, and density ramps are given as functions of nozzle offset and nozzle backing pressure for a number of nozzles and gases.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R McMillen
- University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - P V Heuer
- University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - J M Gjevre
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - A L Milder
- University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - P Charles
- University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - T Filkins
- University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - H G Rinderknecht
- University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - D H Froula
- University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - J L Shaw
- University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
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2
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Gyrdymov M, Cikhardt J, Tavana P, Borisenko NG, Gus Kov SY, Yakhin RA, Vegunova GA, Wei W, Ren J, Zhao Y, Hoffmann DHH, Deng Z, Zhou W, Cheng R, Yang J, Novotny J, Shen X, Pukhov A, Jacoby J, Spielmann C, Popov VS, Veysman ME, Andreev NE, Rosmej ON. High-brightness betatron emission from the interaction of a sub picosecond laser pulse with pre-ionized low-density polymer foam for ICF research. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14785. [PMID: 38926535 PMCID: PMC11208620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65490-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Direct laser acceleration (DLA) of electrons in plasmas of near-critical density (NCD) is a very advancing platform for high-energy PW-class lasers of moderate relativistic intensity supporting Inertial Confinement Fusion research. Experiments conducted at the PHELIX sub-PW Nd:glass laser demonstrated application-promising characteristics of DLA-based radiation and particle sources, such as ultra-high number, high directionality and high conversion efficiency. In this context, the bright synchrotron-like (betatron) radiation of DLA electrons, which arises from the interaction of a sub-ps PHELIX laser pulse with an intensity of 1019 W/cm2 with pre-ionized low-density polymer foam, was studied. The experimental results show that the betatron radiation produced by DLA electrons in NCD plasma is well directed with a half-angle of 100-200 mrad, yielding (3.4 ± 0.4)·1010 photons/keV/sr at 10 keV photon energy. The experimental photon fluence and the brilliance agree well with the particle-in-cell simulations. These results pave the way for innovative applications of the DLA regime using low-density pre-ionized foams in high energy density research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Gyrdymov
- Institute for Applied Physics (IAP), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Jakub Cikhardt
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Parysatis Tavana
- Institute for Applied Physics (IAP), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics (IOQ), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Nataliya G Borisenko
- P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Yu Gus Kov
- P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Rafael A Yakhin
- P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Galina A Vegunova
- P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Wenqing Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jieru Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yongtao Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dieter H H Hoffmann
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhigang Deng
- Science and Technology On Plasma Physics Laboratory, Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, China
| | - Weimin Zhou
- Science and Technology On Plasma Physics Laboratory, Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jan Novotny
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Xiaofei Shen
- Center for Applied Physics and Technology, HEDPS, and SKLNPT, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Alexander Pukhov
- Institut für Theoretische Physik I, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Jacoby
- Institute for Applied Physics (IAP), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Spielmann
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics (IOQ), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Viacheslav S Popov
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Mikhail E Veysman
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay E Andreev
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Olga N Rosmej
- Institute for Applied Physics (IAP), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany.
- Helmholtz Forschungsakademie Hessen für FAIR, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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3
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Valenta P, Maslarova D, Babjak R, Martinez B, Bulanov SV, Vranić M. Direct laser acceleration: A model for the electron injection from the walls of a cylindrical guiding structure. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:065204. [PMID: 39020949 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.065204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
We use analytical methods and particle-in-cell simulation to investigate the origin of electrons accelerated by the process of direct laser acceleration driven by high-power laser pulses in preformed narrow cylindrical plasma channels. The simulation shows that the majority of accelerated electrons are originally located along the interface between the channel wall and the channel interior. The analytical model based on the electron hydrodynamics illustrates the underlying physical mechanism of the release of electrons from the channel wall when irradiated by an intense laser, the subsequent electron dynamics, and the corresponding evolution of the channel density profile. The quantitative predictions of the total charge of released electrons and the average electron density inside the channel are validated by comparison with the simulation results.
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4
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Babjak R, Willingale L, Arefiev A, Vranic M. Direct Laser Acceleration in Underdense Plasmas with Multi-PW Lasers: A Path to High-Charge, GeV-Class Electron Bunches. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:125001. [PMID: 38579225 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.125001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The direct laser acceleration (DLA) of electrons in underdense plasmas can provide hundreds of nC of electrons accelerated to near-GeV energies using currently available lasers. Here we demonstrate the key role of electron transverse displacement in the acceleration and use it to analytically predict the expected maximum electron energies. The energy scaling is shown to be in agreement with full-scale quasi-3D particle-in-cell simulations of a laser pulse propagating through a preformed guiding channel and can be directly used for optimizing DLA in near-future laser facilities. The strategy towards optimizing DLA through matched laser focusing is presented for a wide range of plasma densities paired with current and near-future laser technology. Electron energies in excess of 10 GeV are accessible for lasers at I∼10^{21} W/cm^{2}.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Babjak
- GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1049-001, Portugal
- Institute of Plasma Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Za Slovankou 1782/3, 182 00 Praha 8, Czechia
| | - L Willingale
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A Arefiev
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - M Vranic
- GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1049-001, Portugal
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Falk K, Šmíd M, Boháček K, Chaulagain U, Gu Y, Pan X, Perez-Martin P, Krůs M, Kozlová M. Laser-driven low energy electron beams for single-shot ultra-fast probing of meso-scale materials and warm dense matter. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4252. [PMID: 36918602 PMCID: PMC10015074 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30995-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Laser wakefield acceleration has proven to be an excellent source of electrons and X-rays suitable for ultra-fast probing of matter. These novel beams have demonstrated unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution allowing for new discoveries in material science and plasma physics. In particular, the study of dynamic processes such as non-thermal melt and lattice changes on femtosecond time-scales have paved a way to completely new scientific horizons. Here, we demonstrate the first single-shot electron radiography measurement using an femtosecond electron source based on the downramp-density gradient laser-wakefield-acceleration with the use of a compact Ti:sapphire laser. A quasi-monoenergetic electron beam with mean energy of 1.9 ± 0.4 MeV and charge 77 ± 47 pC per shot was generated by the laser incident onto a gas target and collimated using a two ring-magnet beam path. High quality electron radiography of solid objects with spatial resolution better than 150 [Formula: see text]m was demonstrated. Further developments of this scheme have the potential to obtain single-shot ultrafast electron diffraction from dynamic lattices. This scheme poses a great promise for smaller scale university laboratories and facilities for efficient single-shot probing of warm dense matter, medical imaging and the study of dynamic processes in matter with broad application to inertial confinement fusion and meso-scale materials (mg g/cm[Formula: see text]).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Falk
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany. .,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany. .,Institute of Physics CAS, 182 21, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Michal Šmíd
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karel Boháček
- ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, 25241, Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - Uddhab Chaulagain
- ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, 25241, Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - Yanjun Gu
- ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, 25241, Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic.,Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan
| | - Xiayun Pan
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pablo Perez-Martin
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Miroslav Krůs
- Institute of Plasma Physics CAS, 182 21, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Kozlová
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, 25241, Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic.,Institute of Plasma Physics CAS, 182 21, Prague, Czech Republic
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6
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Single-shot electron radiography using a laser-plasma accelerator. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2227. [PMID: 36755138 PMCID: PMC9908895 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29217-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Contact and projection electron radiography of static targets was demonstrated using a laser-plasma accelerator driven by a kilojoule, picosecond-class laser as a source of relativistic electrons with an average energy of 20 MeV. Objects with areal densities as high as 7.7 g/cm2 were probed in materials ranging from plastic to tungsten, and radiographs with resolution as good as 90 μm were produced. The effects of electric fields produced by the laser ablation of the radiography objects were observed and are well described by an analytic expression relating imaging magnification change to electric-field strength.
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7
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Bruhaug G, Rinderknecht HG, E Y, Wei MS, Brannon RB, Guy D, Peck RG, Landis N, Brent G, Fairbanks R, McAtee C, Walker T, Buczek T, Krieger M, Romanofsky MH, Milhem C, Francis KG, Zhang XC, Collins GW, Rygg JR. Development of a hardened THz energy meter for use on the kilojoule-scale, short-pulse OMEGA EP laser. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2022; 93:123502. [PMID: 36586943 DOI: 10.1063/5.0099328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A highly adaptable and robust terahertz (THz) energy meter is designed and implemented to detect energetic THz pulses from high-intensity (>1018 W/cm2) laser-plasma interactions on the OMEGA EP. THz radiation from the laser driven target is detected by a shielded pyrometer. A second identical pyrometer is used for background subtraction. The detector can be configured to detect THz pulses in the 1 mm to 30 μm (0.3- to 10-THz) range and pulse energies from joules to microjoules via changes in filtration, aperture size, and position. Additional polarization selective filtration can also be used to determine the THz pulse polarization. The design incorporates significant radiation and electromagnetic pulse shielding to survive and operate within the OMEGA EP radiation environment. We describe the design, operational principle, calibration, and testing of the THz energy meter. The pyrometers were calibrated using a benchtop laser and show linear sensitivity to up to 1000 nJ of absorbed energy. The initial results from four OMEGA EP THz experiments detected up to ∼15μJ at the detector, which can correspond to hundreds of mJ depending on THz emission and reflection models.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bruhaug
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - H G Rinderknecht
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - Y E
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
| | - M S Wei
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - R B Brannon
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - D Guy
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - R G Peck
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - N Landis
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - G Brent
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - R Fairbanks
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - C McAtee
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - T Walker
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - T Buczek
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - M Krieger
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - M H Romanofsky
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - C Milhem
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - K G Francis
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
| | - X C Zhang
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
| | - G W Collins
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
| | - J R Rygg
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623-1299, USA
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8
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Peterson JR, Glenzer S, Fiuza F. Magnetic Field Amplification by a Nonlinear Electron Streaming Instability. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 126:215101. [PMID: 34114855 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.126.215101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic field amplification by relativistic streaming plasma instabilities is central to a wide variety of high-energy astrophysical environments as well as to laboratory scenarios associated with intense lasers and electron beams. We report on a new secondary nonlinear instability that arises for relativistic dilute electron beams after the saturation of the linear Weibel instability. This instability grows due to the transverse magnetic pressure associated with the beam current filaments, which cannot be quickly neutralized due to the inertia of background ions. We show that it can amplify the magnetic field strength and spatial scale by orders of magnitude, leading to large-scale plasma cavities with strong magnetic field and to very efficient conversion of the beam kinetic energy into magnetic energy. The instability growth rate, saturation level, and scale length are derived analytically and shown to be in good agreement with fully kinetic simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Peterson
- Physics Department, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - S Glenzer
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - F Fiuza
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
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